Vital Sheffield United have recently been contacted by Olly Longden who runs the MOD/Armed forces Supporters branch.
He has recently set up the branch and he is keen to increase the membership of those currently serving and ex-serving members although he admits, he is happy to accommodate any blades fans.
Olly sent me the following email.
A bit about why I decided to start the MOD/Armed forces Supporters branch:
I left the Royal Navy in 2001, and joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2006. Having been an avid Blades fan, I found that my appointment and leave time precluded me from partaking in the season ticket scheme, and therefore lost benefits, such as loyalty points and priority tickets for “all ticket” games.
I had a meeting with the then supporters liaison officer at Bramall Lane, Richard Batho, and out of this meeting came the introduction of the membership card scheme, which is still in operation today. This was ideal for me, primarily to accumulate loyalty points and with a few bonuses on top such as discount in the superstore.
I recently got in touch with John Garrett, the new liaison officer, and we met a few times, after he suggested I head up the MOD/Armed forces branch, which I was happy to undertake. Since then I have attended various supporters branch meetings, and executive meetings at the Lane, and listened to what concerns different branches had, and of what news was coming out of Sheffield United.
I have recently done an interview with BFBS radio, to encourage more Blades support from serving and ex-serving members; however, I am always looking to increase this membership.
I produce a newsletter, and am awaiting on new branch membership cards being produced for the forthcoming season. I will hopefully receive these around June, and will post them out to members then.
Obviously this branch is aimed at personnel that are either living away, or serving abroad, and so meetings would be on an ad-hoc basis.
The benefits that have been offered to this new branch are;
Issue of a supporter`s club membership card
10% discount in the Blades superstore
Priority on ticket sales
Some priority to fans forums and awards nights
Direct line from the executive committee to SUFC
A newsletter emailed direct to your email account, with all the latest news at Bramall Lane, including events and updates.
Anyone interested in joining can get in touch with me via email
oliverlongden@aol.com
rfawvkn-cis-cr2syssm@mod.uk (work email until September 2013)
Telephone: (when in UK) 07411 319796
*If you run a Sheffield United supporters club, I am always happy to promote the branch. Feel free to email me via the site, telling me a bit about the branch, where you pick up from and usual cost or anything else you feel is relevant.
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